Getting Sentimental... Or Is It Just Mental?

I am blessed to teach at an amazing school, and to be teaching the most amazing group of kids I have ever had the privilege of knowing.
They love each other really well. They resolve conflict quickly for the sake unity. They are quick to receive reproof in humility. They're quirky. They have big, amazing dreams. They are deeply talented. They are total goofballs. They make up silly songs. They have incredible attitudes. They love and honor their parents and teachers. They laugh and have a great time together. And they are serious about going deep in God. I am crazy about them!

A few of them are graduating in two weeks. I hate to see them go, but I also can't wait to see what they will do with the time and the skills that have been given to them. In the mean time, I reserve the right to get teary eyed every time I think about them.
Recently, for their senior prank, they saran wrapped everything in the vice principle's office and filled the principle's office waist high with balloons.

Front to back: Charles, Vicky, Daniel P.,  Emily, Brittany, Daniel F., Stephen

These are our seven seniors. They are excellent. They want to be teachers, coaches, missionaries, engineers, medical responders, leaders and more than anything, wholehearted lovers of God. I adore them.
They are full of gifts, talent, passion, compassion, joy. I love the hope and the promise that they are carrying into the next season of their lives. I can't wait to see what God has in store for them. One thing I do know, is that they'd BETTER come back and visit their old "shool house" from time to time.
And now, I have to go shed a single, glistening tear... or perhaps many, less glamorous tears... over how much I will miss them and their cute smiles.